Robertson Library

Charles Cheverie

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Biography

Affectionately known as "Father Charlie", Reverend J. Charles Cheverie was born in Charlottetown in 1932. He earned a BA from St. Dunstan's University, one of UPEI's predecessor institutions, and an L.Th. from Holy Heart Seminary. He also attended the Catholic University of America where he received a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. Father Charlie was ordained in 1957 for the Diocese of Charlottetown. Father Charlie was Professor of Biology at St. Dunstan's, and then UPEI, for thirty-eight years, until his retirement in 1997. Since retirement he has served as Chaplain at UPEI. Through much of his teaching career, he was the parish priest in Covehead, PEI. He feels that the Lord has greatly blessed him in the enjoyment and fulfillment he has had through communication with youth in university life. He has received several teaching awards, the Rotary Mentor Award, as well as the Order of PEI. And, he is also a Paul Harris Fellow, was conferred as Professor Emeritus with UPEI and was named a UPEI Founder in 2009. Fiddling has always been an important part of Father Charlie's life. He became involved in the revival of traditional fiddling in PEI around 1976, and in 1982 focused on the Queen's County Chapter of PEI Fiddlers during a time of low interest. Today he is very pleased with the number of young people who are playing the fiddle, some of whom have gained national and international recognition. Sports and athletics played an important role in his life at SDU. Hockey, and especially football (rugby) provided an excellent opportunity to build friendships with team members and fond memories from trips to other universities. Among his many contributions to student life at UPEI, Father Charlie has been a tremendous support to students who have pursued a. B.Sc., with the goal of entering the field of medicine. He has served as a medical school reference for many worthy students. The Father Charlie Cheverie Award was created in his honour.